The halachic approach to the conflict in Gaza balances the strict prohibition against personal grudge-bearing (emotional vengeance) and the national obligation to deter aggression (strategic necessity).
- Individual Prohibition vs. National Mandate
a. The Personal Level: Individual revenge is strictly forbidden by the Torah: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge” (Leviticus 19:18). This prevents soldiers or civilians from acting out of private hatred, which is seen as a failure of character and trust in Divine justice (Maimonides 1180).
b. The National Level: Sovereign retribution is viewed differently. Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli argues that a state is mandated to perform Nekamah (retribution) to restore justice. In this context, “paying back” an attacker is a tool of Harta’ah (deterrence), ensuring that Jewish life is not viewed as cheap and preventing future atrocities (Yisraeli 1992; Chabad 2025).
- Deterrence and Judicial Punishment
a. Proactive Defense: The principle of “Habah l’horgecha, hashkem l’horgo” (If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first) justifies pursuing terrorists. This is not “getting personal,” but a preventative measure to dismantle threats before they can strike again (Sanhedrin 72a).
b. Ethical Constraints: Even in a justified war of retribution, halacha prohibits gratuitous cruelty. Every human is created B’tselem Elohim (in God’s image). Therefore, force must be limited to what is necessary for the security mission, often referred to in modern terms as the “Purity of Arms” (IDF 2024; Lichtenstein 2004).
- Celebrating the Fall of the Enemy
a. The Prohibition of Joy: Proverbs 24:17 warns, “When your enemy falls, do not rejoice.” The Talmud recounts that God rebuked the angels for singing while the Egyptians drowned in the Red Sea: “My handiwork is drowning in the sea, and you sing songs?” (Megillah 10b). This teaches somber recognition of the loss of human life, even if it was evil.
b. The Permission for Praise: Conversely, the Jewish people did sing the “Song of the Sea” after their rescue. Halacha permits (and sometimes requires) a blessing or song of thanks (Hallel) when a miraculous salvation occurs or when a great evil is removed from the world. This is directed at the salvation of the innocent and restoration of justice, not the suffering of the individual enemy (Lamm 1971; Waldenberg 1985).
Sources
Babylonian Talmud. Tractates Sanhedrin and Megillah.
Chabad.org. 2025. “Rise Up! Credible Deterrence and Proactive Defense.”
IDF (Israel Defense Forces). 2024. “The Spirit of the IDF.”
Lamm, Norman. 1971. “The Quality of Joy.” The Royal Reach.
Lichtenstein, Aharon. 2004. “The Morality of Warfare.” Tradition.
Maimonides (Rambam). 1180. Mishneh Torah, Hilchot De’ot.
Waldenberg, Eliezer. 1985. Tzitz Eliezer, Vol. 16.
Yisraeli, Shaul. 1992. Amud HaYemini. Eretz Hemdah Institute.
(Generated by Gemini AI.)
Writing by Dr. Dannielle Blumenthal 